Sand Mining
After water, sand is the most widely used natural resource.
Sand is mined, smuggled, and stolen, and the impacts of this have far-reaching socio-political, economic and environmental implications, accelerating coastal erosion, and destroying ecosystems that are relied upon by coastal communities for their very existence.
May 2, 2025
Deadly ambush at sand winning site leaves five dead in Eastern Region – Modern Ghana
Excerpt:
A violent confrontation at a sand mining site in Asiyaw in Ghana’s Eastern Region has left at least five people dead and several others injured, following a deadly ambush during a community-led engagement aimed at curbing illegal sand mining in the area…
The clash occurred during a visit by the boundary chief of the Adonteng Division of the Akuapem Traditional Area, who was accompamied by sub-chiefs and concerned residents. The group had gathered at the site to hold discussions with stakeholders in response to mounting protests by local farmers and community members over environmental degradation caused by unregulated sand mining.
Residents, particularly farmers, have for months voiced frustration over the impact of illegal sand extraction on agricultural lands. Many say the destruction has crippled the cultivation of key crops such as pawpaw, cassava, and maize – staples for both subsistence an commercial farming in the area…
More on Sand Mining . . .
Indonesia’s risky gamble with sea sand exports – Dialogue Earth
Restarting exports to neighbouring countries could fuel ecological devastation, but a sustainable approach to sand dredging may be possible…
Despite Government Ban, Illegal Mining Flourish In Bauchi, Children Abandon Schools – Sahara Reporters
In Bauchi State’s mining communities, children as young as 10 abandon classrooms for mining sites. They toil alongside adults, extracting sand and breaking rocks under the scorching sun, hoping to scrape together enough for their families to survive. For these children, education is a distant dream distorted by the immediate demands of poverty…
Ban on exports of sea sand, that destroyed dozens of Indonesian islands, is being lifted – The Conversation
Police have recommended Nguyen Thanh Binh, the former chairman of the people’s committee in An Giang province in the Mekong river delta, be charged with power abuse, according to Public Security News, the official mouthpiece of the Ministry of Public Security. The area is a hotspot for sand mining…
Vietnam ex-official took US$300,000 bribe to allow illicit sand mining – The Star
Police have recommended Nguyen Thanh Binh, the former chairman of the people’s committee in An Giang province in the Mekong river delta, be charged with power abuse, according to Public Security News, the official mouthpiece of the Ministry of Public Security. The area is a hotspot for sand mining…
A Civilization Built on Sand – Le Figaro
How ‘Yellow Gold’ Became a Resource Under Pressure…Sand is the second most consumed resource in the world after fresh water. Substance of our concrete civilization, its demand will intensify in the years to come. A situation that generates geopolitical tensions…
Billionaire accused of stealing sand from Malibu’s Broad Beach, lawsuit says – the Los Angeles Times
A lawsuit filed last week alleges that Mark Attanasio, billionaire businessman and owner of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, has been using excavators to dig up sand from Broad Beach and carry it back to his house as part of an ongoing construction project…
Sand trafficking: a scourge that is worsening in Latin America – El Nuevo Siglo | Insight Crime
Low risk, difficult to detect and with huge profits, this crime affects most countries in the region. There are several ‘cartels’ in this black market…..
Looting of the sea: the great sand theft – ABC
It is the most demanded raw material after water. It is used to make concrete, chips, detergents, paints… and even artificial islands. The big cities are hungry for sand and to satisfy it, the world’s beaches are being plundered….
2022 Six Part Series on “Sand Dealers” – Le Monde
Published in 2022, links to Le Monde’s Series on Sand are provided here…